Indexing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Indexing apparatus comprising, in combination: adjustment apparatus having a rotatable carrier, a rotatable mounting member supported by the carrier eccentrically to the axis of the carrier, a shaft nonrotatably connected to one side of the mounting member, eccentrically of the axis of the mounting member, the carrier and shaft axes being parallel to and equidistant from the axis of the mounting member, and on the other side of the mounting member, a pinion coaxial with the mounting member and nonrotatably connected thereto and an internal gear in driving engagement with the pinion, and mounted coaxially of the carrier and nonrotatably relative thereto, the pinion having a pitch diameter of one half that of the internal gear, and the shaft axis lying in the pitch circle of the pinion drive means connected to the carrier for rotating the carrier; at least one drive member coaxially connected to the shaft nonrotatably in the direction of rotation of the shaft; and, an endless loop in driving engagement with each drive member.

United States Patent (72] Inventor Robert R. Henry Andover, Mas.

[21] Appl. No, 861,643

[22] Filed Sept. 29, 1969 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] AssigneeYorkshire Industries Inc.

Andover, Mass.

s41 mnsxnvc APPARATUS 3,399,582 9/1968 Henry 3,402,621 9/1968Johnsonetal.

ABSTRACT: Indexing apparatus comprising, in combination: adjustmentapparatus having a rotatable carrier, a rotatable mounting membersupported by the carrier eccentrically to the axis of the carrier, ashaft nonrotatably connected to one side of the mounting member,eccentrically of the axis of the mounting member, the carrier and shaftaxes being parallel to and equidistant from the axis of the mountingmember, and on the oflter side of the mounting member, a pinion coaxialwith the mounting member and nonrotatably connected thereto and aninternal gear in driving engagement with the pinion, and mountedcoaxially of the carrier and nonrotatably relative thereto, the pinionhaving a pitch diameter of one half that of the internal gear, and theshaft axis lying in the pitch circle of the pinion drive means connectedto the carrier for rotating the carrier; at least one drive membercoaxially connected to the shaft nonrotatably in the direction ofrotation of the shaft; and, an endless loop in driving engagement witheach drive member.

N f e INDEXING APPARATUS This invention relates to indexing apparatusand more particularly to simple indexing apparatus utilizing apparatusheretofore described in US. Pat. No. 3,399,582, dated Sept. 3, I968.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a simple andeconomical indexing apparatus. Another object is to provide an indexingapparatus providing smooth acceleration and deceleration of the indexedmaterial.

The invention features indexing apparatus comprising, in combination:adjustment apparatus having a rotatable carrier, a rotatable mountingmember supported by the carrier eccentrically to the axis of thecarrier, a shaft nonrotatably connected to one side of the mountingmember, eccentrically of the axis of the mounting member, the carrierand shaft axes being parallel to and equidistant from the axis of themounting member, and on the other side of the mounting member a pinioncoaxial with the mounting member and nonrotatably connected thereto andan internal gear in driving engagement with the pinion, the gear beingmounted coaxially of the carrier and nonrotatably relative thereto, thepinion having a pitch diameter of one half that of the internal gear,and the shaft axis lying on the pitch circle of the pinion; drive meansconnected to the carrier for rotating the carrier; at least one drivemember coaxially connected to the shaft nonrotatably in the direction ofrotation of the shaft; and, an endless loop in driving engagement witheach drive member. In embodiments of this invention, the drive memberhas a diameter greater than, equal to, or less than the maximumexcursion of the shaft axis with rotation of the carrier. Where thediameter is less than this maximum excursion, a clutch may be mounted onthe shaft, nonrotatable in a predetermined direction of shaft rotation,and rotatable in the reverse direction, with the drive member mounted onthe clutch.

A second adjustment apparatus may be provided opposite theaforementioned adjustment apparatus, corresponding elements of the twoadjustment apparatuses being coaxially arranged in matching relativeposition, with the shaft extending from one to the other mounting memberand nonrotatably connected to each. A plurality of drive members mayalso be provided, e.g., in the form of a plurality of sprockets drivingendless chains, and a plurality of clutches where the drive memberdiameter is less than the previously described maximum excursion of theshaft axis.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this-invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment thereof taken together with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing analternate preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of adjustment apparatus taken alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be seen that theapparatus is mounted between portions of a frame 10. A pair ofadjustment units 12, 12A are mounted on opposite sides of frame facingeach other with corresponding parts in matching rotative positions andcoaxially aligned. Units 12 and I2A are identical except that unit 12includes a worm 38 and worm gear 40.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, adjustment unit 12 includesinternal gear 14 which is nonrotatably joined to casting 42 by fasteners36. The entire unit in turn is nonrotatably secured by fasteners 16 toframe 10. A carrier 32 is rotatably supported by bearings 33 on theouter periphery of and coaxially ofinternal gear 14.

Mounting member 18 is supported eccentrically by bearings 34 in carrier32. Shaft 24 extends from one side of mounting member 18 to the mountingmember of unit 12A, as best shown in FIG. I. Shaft 24 is supported ineach unit 12, 12A, by a flexible coupling in each mounting member 18.The coupling comprises a spherical section 44 mounted in a holder 46.Shaft 24 is locked by key 22 to spherical section 44. An axiallyextending slot 48 having parallel] axial walls is also provided inspherical section 44. Pin 50, having a cylindrical portion extendingfrom holder 46 into mounting member I8, also has a square head in slot48 and a width just sufficient to permit an axial slip fit therein. Thekey 22 and pin 50 together render shaft 24 nonrotatable relative tomounting member 18.

A pinion gear 26 is positioned on the other side of mounting member 18,coaxially thereof, in mesh with internal gear 14. Pinion 26 is securednonrotatably relative to mounting member 18 by a press fit and by pin 30extending therebetween. A retaining washer 28, secured by lockwasher 29to pinion 26, overlaps the mesh of the pinion, 26 and internal gear 14teeth-securing pinion 26 and mounting member I8 in carrier 32.

The pinion 26 has a diameter one half that of internal gear 14. Theshaft 24 and carrier 32 axes are equidistantly spaced from and areparallel to the axis of mounting member 18, the

shaft axis being positioned on a pitch circle (frequently referred to inthe art as the pitch diameter) ofpinion 26.

Unlike unit 12A, a worm gear is mounted on the periphery of unit 12. Acoacting worm 38 is rotatably mounted on casting 42 of unit 12 indriving engagement with worm gear 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and2 worm 38 is connected to drive means, motor 56,mounted on frame 10, via pulley 52 and drive belt 54, for drivingcarrier 32 of unit 12 in a predetermined direction.

Drive members sprockets 58 are spaced apart and are nonrotatably lockedon shaft 24 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2A, aclutch mechanism such as a one way or a single revolution clutch may beinterposed between each sprocket 58 to permit relative rotation ofsprockets 58 and shaft 24 at predetermined times.

Chains 76, forming endless loops, engage drive sprockets 58 along aportion traversing between sprockets 60, 64 respectively mounted onrotatable shafts 62, 66. Chains 76 are held in engagement with drivesprockets 58 by idler sprockets 68, 72 respectively mounted on rotatableshafts 70, 74, idler sprockets 68, 72 being somewhat out of line withdrive sprockets 58 forcing chains 76 to have a slight are so as toengage sprockets 58.

In operation, as worm 38 is driven by motor 56, carrier 32 is rotated ina predetermined direction. As is more fully explained in U.S. Pat. No.3,399,582 this results in linear reciprocation of shaft 24 and rotationthereof about its own axis in a predetermined direction opposite that ofcarrier 32. Unit 12 is actuated by shaft 24 to provide the same motionto shaft 24 there adjacent.

If the diameter of sprockets 58 is equal to the maximum excursion ofshaft 24, chains 76 will accelerate from and decelerate to aninstantaneous zero velocity. If the diameter of sprockets 58 is greaterthan the excursion of shaft 24 the minimum velocity of chains 76 willalways be positive. If, on the other hand, the sprockets 56 are smallerthan the maximum excursion of chains 76, the chains will reverse in eachcycle of shaft reciprocation. In this latter instance, as shown in FIG.2A, a one way clutch 80 may be interposed between shaft 24 and eachsprocket 58. Thus, when chains 76 reach the point at which they wouldordinarily reverse direction, each clutch 80 will slip to provide adwell.

Other embodiments will appear to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

I. Indexing apparatus comprising, in combination:

adjustment apparatus having a rotatable carrier, a rotatable mountingmember supported by said carrier eccentrically to the axis thereof, ashaft nonrotatably connected to said mounting member on one side thereofand eccentrically to the axis thereof, said carrier and shaft axesparallel to and equidistantly spaced from said mounting member axis, andon the other side of said mounting member a pinion and internal gear indriving engagement, said pinion coaxial with and nonrotatably connectedto said mounting member, said internal gear mounted coaxially of saidcarrier and nonrotatably relative thereto, said pinion having a pitchdiameter one half that of said internal gear, and said shaft axis lyingon the pitch circle of said pinion;

drive means connected to said carrier for rotating said carriat leastone drive member coaxially connected to said shaft nonrotatably in thedirection of rotation of said shaft; and an endless loop in drivingengagement with each said drive member.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which said drive member has adiameter at least as great as the maximum excursion of said shaft axisas said carrier is rotated.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 in which said drive member has adiameter equal to the maximum excursion of said shaft axis as saidcarrier is rotated.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which said drive member has adiameter less than the maximum excursion of said shaft axis as saidcarrier is rotated,

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 in which a clutch is mounted on saidshaft, nonrotatable in a predetermined direction of shaft rotation androtatable in the reverse direction, and in which said drive member ismounted on said clutch.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which a second adjustmentapparatus is provided opposite the other said adjustment apparatuscorresponding elements thereof coaxially arranged in matching rotativepositions, said shaft extending from one mounting member to the otherand nonrotatably connected to each.

7. The apparatus claimed in claim 6 in which said drive member has adiameter at least as great as the maximum excursion of said shaft axisas said carrier is rotated.

8. The apparatus claimed in claim 7 including a plurality of said drivemembers.

9. The apparatus claimed in claim 8 in which said drive members aresprockets and said loops are chains.

10. The apparatus claimed in claim 7 in which said drive member has adiameter equal to the maximum excursion of said shaft axis as saidcarrier is rotated.

ll. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 including a plurality of saiddrive members.

12. The apparatus claimed in claim II in which said drive members aresprockets and said loops are chains.

13. The apparatus claimed in claim 6 in which said drive member has adiameter less than the maximum excursion of said shaft axis as saidcarrier is rotated.

14. The apparatus claimed in claim 13 in which a clutch is mounted onsaid shaft nonrotatable in a predetermined direction of shaft rotationand rotatable in the reverse direction, and in which said drive memberis mounted on said

1. Indexing apparatus comprising, in combination: adjustment apparatushaving a rotatable carrier, a rotatable mounting member supported bysaid carrier eccentrically to the axis thereof, a shaft nonrotatablyconnected to said mounting member on one side thereof and eccentricallyto the axis thereof, said carrier and shaft axes parallel to andequidistantly spaced from said mounting member axis, and on the otherside of said mounting member a pinion and internal gear in drivingengagement, said pinion coaxial with and nonrotatably connected to saidmounting member, said internal gear mounted coaxially of said carrierand nonrotatably relative thereto, said pinion having a pitch diameterone half that of said internal gear, and said shaft axis lying on thepitch circle of said pinion; drive means connected to said carrier forrotating said carrier; at least one drive member coaxially connected tosaid shaft nonrotatably in the direction of rotation of said shaft; andan endless loop in driving engagement with each said drive member. 2.The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which said drive member has adiameter at least as great as the maximum excursion of said shaft axisas said carrier is rotated.
 3. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 in whichsaid drive member has a diameter equal to the maximum excursion of saidshaft axis as said carrier is rotated.
 4. The apparatus claimed in claim1 in which said drive member has a diameter less than the maximumexcursion of said shaft axis as said carrier is rotated.
 5. Theapparatus claimed in claim 4 in which a clutch is mounted on said shaft,nonrotatable in a predetermined direction of shaft rotation androtatable in the reverse direction, and in which said drive member ismounted on said clutch.
 6. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 in which asecond adjustment apparatus is provided opposite the other saidadjustment apparatus corresponding elements thereof coaxially arrangedin matching rotative positions, said shaft extending from one mountingmember to the other and nonrotatably connected to each.
 7. The apparatusclaimed in claim 6 in which said drive member has a diameter at least asgreat as the maximum excursion of said shaft axis as said carrier isrotated.
 8. The apparatus claimed in claim 7 including a plurality ofsaid drive members.
 9. The apparatus claimed in claim 8 in which saiddrive members are sprockets and said loops are chains.
 10. The apparatusclaimed in claim 7 in which said drive member has a diameter equal tothe maximum excursion of saiD shaft axis as said carrier is rotated. 11.The apparatus claimed in claim 10 including a plurality of said drivemembers.
 12. The apparatus claimed in claim 11 in which said drivemembers are sprockets and said loops are chains.
 13. The apparatusclaimed in claim 6 in which said drive member has a diameter less thanthe maximum excursion of said shaft axis as said carrier is rotated. 14.The apparatus claimed in claim 13 in which a clutch is mounted on saidshaft nonrotatable in a predetermined direction of shaft rotation androtatable in the reverse direction, and in which said drive member ismounted on said clutch.
 15. The apparatus claimed in claim 14 includinga plurality of said drive members, each mounted on one said clutch. 16.The apparatus claimed in claim 15 in which said drive members aresprockets and said loops are chains.